Ladd McConkey Working As A Starter In Training Camp
The Athletic's Daniel Popper writes that Los Angeles Chargers second-round rookie wide receiver Ladd McConkey, DJ Chark Jr. and Joshua Palmer were working with the first-team offense in training camp practice on Thursday. As of early in camp, it appears that last year's first-rounder, Quentin Johnston, is the team's No. 4 wideout. The 22-year-old McConkey has already developed notable chemistry with quarterback Justin Herbert this offseason and could be one of his go-to targets now that both Keenan Allen and Mike Williams are on other teams in 2024. McConkey is an excellent route-runner and deserves attention as at least a late-round flier for receiving depth in PPR fantasy leagues this fall. It's still early in camp, but McConkey's development is worth keeping a close eye on.
Ladd McConkey Has Picked Up Chargers Offense With Ease
Los Angeles Chargers wide receiver Ladd McConkey was selected at the beginning of the second round in the 2024 NFL Draft, and he has a chance to make a significant impact right away after the organization moved on from Keenan Allen, Mike Williams, and Austin Ekeler this offseason. The veteran trio was responsible for most of L.A.'s receiving production over the last few seasons, so there are big holes to fill in Justin Herbert's offense. According to Herbert, McConkey has excelled right away. "He's just picked up the offense so easily. It's like he's been a four- or five-year vet," Herbert said. "He understands the game." The Georgia product didn't have impressive numbers in college, but he was sharing the field with standout tight end Brock Bowers in a run-heavy offense and dealt with several injuries. If he becomes Herbert's go-to target right away, he has at least weekly flex appeal and WR2 upside in 2024.
Los Angeles Chargers wide receiver Ladd McConkey signed his four-year rookie deal on Monday. The 22-year-old was selected with the No. 34 overall pick of the 2024 NFL Draft. He played 39 games at Georgia, starting 21, and totaled 119 catches for 1,687 yards and 14 touchdowns. He also had four more scores on the run. McConkey has received positive reviews from teammates this offseason, and with Keenan Allen and Mike Williams no longer on the roster, the rookie is worth considering late in fantasy drafts heading into the 2024-25 campaign.
Los Angeles Chargers quarterback Justin Herbert was very impressed with rookie wide receiver Ladd McConkey during offseason workouts, and the second-rounder displayed the most potential throughout the offseason program with his precise route-running and sudden quickness in tight spaces. "It's like he's been a four- or five-year vet," Herbert said. "He understands the game. He understands leverage. He's a smart player, and he's very athletic. I'm really looking forward to getting him the ball." McConkey is gaining steam in dynasty/keeper leagues and could even be worth a late-round flier for receiver depth in deeper redraft leagues this fall if he continues to look good when the pads go on in training camp. There is opportunity in LA's receiver room with both Keenan Allen and Mike Williams no longer in town.
Los Angeles Chargers wide receiver Ladd McConkey was a big winner of the 2024 NFL Draft after being selected with the No. 34 overall pick to play with quarterback Justin Herbert. According to Chargers.com writer Eric Smith, McConkey and Herbert are developing strong chemistry this offseason. "As for Herbert's favorite target Tuesday, that seemed to be rookie wide receiver Ladd McConkey," Smith wrote. "Herbert had eight total reps in 11-on-11 drills midway through practice, with five of those plays being passes. McConkey caught two of them as he continued to show a strong rapport with No. 10. The Bolts second-round pick later caught two other passes in full-team drills, both of which came when McConkey was working over the middle of the field." With Mike Williams and Keenan Allen departing this offseason, McConkey has a clear path to the No. 1 wide receiver role. Quentin Johnston was a complete bust in Year 1, while veteran Joshua Palmer profiles as a No. 3 option. Fantasy managers should be careful not to fall for "rookie hype," but McConkey could have legitimate weekly flex appeal in his rookie campaign.
Los Angeles Chargers rookie second-round wide receiver Ladd McConkey is already developing a connection with quarterback Justin Herbert at organized team activities this week. McConkey played both inside and outside on Monday, but the majority of his snaps with the first-team offense came in the slot. The 22-year-old from Georgia has a real opportunity to become a key piece of the Chargers' passing game in his rookie season with both Keenan Allen and Mike Williams moving on in the offseason. He should start in three-wide sets with second-year wideout Quentin Johnston and Joshua Palmer, and McConkey's speed and versatility could make him a reliable target for Herbert. The Bolts figure to run the ball more under new head coach Jim Harbaugh, but McConkey is in a situation to be worth taking a late-round flier on in deeper fantasy leagues this fall.
Justin Herbert Developing Connection With Ladd McConkey
Los Angeles Chargers quarterback Justin Herbert already appears to be developing a nice connection with rookie second-round wide receiver Ladd McConkey. McConkey played both inside and outside at organized team activities on Monday, with the majority of his snaps with the first-team offense coming out of the slot. All of the Bolts' offseason moves have led to Herbert's fantasy stock taking a pretty big hit as a QB1. The Chargers are expected to be a much more run-heavy offense under head coach Jim Harbaugh and offensive coordinator Greg Roman, and Herbert also lost both top receivers Keenan Allen and Mike Williams. The 26-year-old signal-caller could still have big performances, especially if LA's offensive line provides more protection, but it's hard to argue that he'll have as much high-end upside in 2024.
Chargers Add To Wide Receiver Room With Ladd McConkey
The Los Angeles Chargers selected University of Georgia wide receiver Ladd McConkey with the No. 34 overall pick in the 2024 NFL Draft on Friday. The Chargers moved up to take McConkey by trading their 37th and 110th selections of the 2024 NFL Draft with the New England Patriots in exchange for the 34th and 137th picks. The 22-year-old is viewed as one of the best route runners in this wide receiver class, and the Chargers had a dire need at wideout after moving on from Mike Williams and Keenan Allen this offseason. Although McConkey's numbers over the last three years aren't all that impressive (119 receptions for 1,687 yards and 14 touchdowns), it's worth noting he battled injuries as a senior, and he dominated at the NFL Combine. With Quentin Johnston struggling to make an impact as a rookie, McConkey could make a run to be Justin Herbert's go-to target.
University of Georgia wide receiver Ladd McConkey has seemingly been rising up draft boards since his impressive showing at the 2024 NFL Combine, and he is now favored to be a first-round pick, according to DraftKings Sportsbook's odds. DraftKings gives the 22-year-old -105 odds to be one of the first 32 players off the board. In three seasons with the Bulldogs, the speedster collected 119 receptions for 1,687 yards and 14 touchdowns and rushed 13 times for 216 yards and four scores. He also averaged 13.3 yards per punt return on 21 attempts. He's a dynamic and versatile weapon with real route-running juice, so WR-needy teams like the Kansas City Chiefs, Baltimore Ravens, and Buffalo Bills could be interested in pushing the draft button on him late in the first round on Thursday.
University of Georgia wide receiver Ladd McConkey is visiting with the Atlanta Falcons on Friday, according to NFL Network's Ian Rapoport. He also recently met with the Cleveland Browns. McConkey didn't have the most prolific college career, but he posted 119 receptions for 1,687 yards and 14 touchdowns in 39 career games. He's also a dynamic weapon in the backfield, compiling 216 yards and four touchdowns on just 13 rushing attempts. After running a sub-4.4 forty-yard dash at the 2024 NFL Combine, he could be selected as early as the late first round. Atlanta could use more speed in the new-look Kirk Cousins offense, so it will be interesting to see if they make a move to keep McConkey in the state of Georgia to begin his NFL career.
